@ambrozia_avl

Etheridge (he/him) is former chef/owner of Ambrozia Bar and Bistro and currently specializes in pop up dinners and catering in Asheville, NC. He relocated to Asheville from New Mexico where he had made a name for himself as a James Beard Award winner for Best American Regional Cookbook, Foods of The Southwest Indian Nations, and nominated for best Chef in the Southwest for his work at his restaurants Ambrozia Café & Wine Bar and Nob Hill Bar & Grill. Sam attended culinary school and worked in South Florida. Sam was born and raised in the South.

@creamworkshendersonville

Nakisha Marvels, she/her. I’m a simple, uncomplicated, and unpretentious person which also describes how I cook. Simple ingredients, uncomplicated recipes, with an unpretentious presentation. My husband and I are the owners of Cream Works which is a mobile ice cream parlor specializing in hand-scooped treats, and our signature lemonades. Launched during the pandemic when everyone was in need of a bit of positivity, it is our small gift of sunshine to the world and I hope my dishes might bring a moment of happiness and joy to all who partake. 

@chestnutasheville

Matthew (he/him) grew up in the hilly parts of Northeastern Alabama. Coming from a large cajun family and growing up on a sheep farm fostered his love for cooking, as well as sustainable and local agriculture. Matthew moved to Asheville to pursue a Culinary Arts degree from AB Tech in 2016, and took his first kitchen job as an intern at Chestnut in the summer of 2017. After graduation he and his wife, Jamie, left to go  “backpacking” through Western Europe and gained a lot of insight on international cuisine. He returned to Asheville in 2019.

@meanpiespizza

Mean Pies makes pan pizza using freshly milled whole grains, and local and seasonal ingredients. Our dough is cold fermented, twice baked, and comforting without being heavy. Think of it as focaccia that chose another path. Led by PJ (he/him), the small crew of bread makers and family members currently do monthly pop ups out of OWL Bakery, and special events, while planning expansion options. We try to make the best food we can and try to treat the community well, and hope the rest will figure itself out.

@bkroeyr @curatetapasbar @labodegabycurate

A member of the leadership team at Katie Button Restaurants, Brittany (she/her) works closely with chef Katie Button as the manager of culinary development. She consults on menus, staffing and strategy alongside the Chefs de Cuisine at Curate Bar de Tapas and La Bodega by Curate. Brittany leads with a rare and valued combination of hard work and creativity. Growing up in Dearborn, MI, her family owned restaurants and bars, and she developed a passion for the industry at a young age and worked at cutting edge restaurants from New York to Chicago.

@abccm_official

Eric Cox (he/him) graduated Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College 1987- Culinary Technology AAS. Chef and General Manager for “The Peasant Restaurants” in Atlanta and Nashville for eight years. Has been Director of Food Services for Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry for the last fifteen years, serving 1200 meals per day to those in need. Through food, I get to change lives and hopefully change the ending to some people’s stories. I’ll never have a better opportunity to help people and make a difference.

@belovedasheville

Amy (she/her) brings her passion for how people power can make the community better.  She founded BeLoved Asheville to be a place where people of all walks of life could come together to create powerful solutions to common struggles and a WNC where everyone thrives. She has spent three decades working on the ground building intersectional community, creating mutual aid networks and creating social change. She holds a Masters degree from Columbia Theological Seminary and is ordained clergy in the Presbyterian Church, USA.

@homeward_bound_wnc

Bellamy (they/them) has lived in the US, Japan, England, and France:  in cabins, dorms, abandoned warehouses, apartments, and on the couches of strangers. They now live in a small homestead in Leicester with their partner, two cats, one dog, ten chickens, and four ducks. They are passionate about generating creative content around social justice issues. Bellamy believes strongly in the possibility of ending homelessness in their community. They have a masters degree in creative writing and hope to finish their dystopian novel before the actual apocalypse.

@ashevillehabitat

Leslie (she/her) is an Asheville native with a Sociology degree from UNCA and a 40+ year career in early education. As the Family & Community Partnerships Program Manager for Community Action Opportunity-Head Start Program, she has extensive experience serving children, families, and community partners. Leslie knows the importance of safe, stable, affordable housing and the transformational effect it can have on families now and for generations to come.

@justeconomicswnc

As a first generation American, Carmen (she/her) was taught the importance of creating and supporting community. She is focused on doing what she can to improve the lives of others. She is an advocate for affordable housing and for better transit here in Asheville. She is currently on the board of the Buncombe Partnership for Children. She started SPOT (Supportive Parents of TransKids), and has an activist art project called More than a Hashtag. She is creating a space for the community to gather monthly called Community Sundays.

@hillmanbeer

Hillman Beer is a small, family-owned business located in Asheville, NC. With an emphasis on quality beer and a focus on classics and comfort, we hope that our beer and pub atmosphere keep you coming back to Hillman Beer.

@savorshrub

Kat Savage (she/her) is a WNC native, passionate naturalist & foodie. SAVOR makes NA mixers in an homage to herbal & European traditions of bitters & shrubs. She has been involved in herbalism for 20 years & has her BS in Natural Health. Formerly co-owning & formulating for a respected herb school & tincture company, she has taught about health around the southeast. SAVOR’s mission is to encourage clients to drop in & savor life’s little moments with better bitters.

@devilsfootbrew

Farm-To-Can Craft Soda. We pride ourselves on working with Organic Roots & Fruits to create a healthier, more flavorful non-alcoholic experience for everyone in our communities.

@mountainvalleywater

@markedtreevineyard

Marked Tree Vineyard is located on the Eastern Continental Divide between Mt. Pisgah and Tryon Peak in Flat Rock, North Carolina, in the AVA Crest of the Blue Ridge, Henderson County. Whether you are sipping wine on the Continental Divide or tasting wines by the ghost house, a marked tree is about finding your path. Marked Tree is a point along the road, a moment to reflect, a marker in life.